Enhancing Spiritual Tourism Through ARCore-Powered XR Pilgrimage Experiences in India
摘要
The Virtual Visit to Indian Pilgrimages project is a digital initiative designed to offer immersive and accessible experiences of India’s most revered religious sites. Through the integration of technologies such as 360° panoramic views, virtual reality (VR), audio narratives, and interactive guides, users can explore temples, mosques, gurudwaras, churches, and other pilgrimage destinations without being physically present. This project integrates technology with spirituality by providing sacred journeys for people who are limited by health, distance, finances, or time constraints. It is also designed as a resource for culture and education by helping users understand the history, rituals, architecture, and the site’s spiritual importance. This project also aims to promote the religious diversity and heritage of India to the world and supports tourism and cultural preservation in a sustainable manner. Users can attend real-time events, festivals, or guided tours as if they are physically present in the location. Virtual Visit to Indian Pilgrimages helps enhance the experience of technology by allowing virtually mediated access to key religious landmarks within the Indian subcontinent, followed by automated descriptions of significant features and interactivity within the religious spaces in 360° panoramic views. The aim is to allow genuine spiritual experience, thus integrating religious practice with eco-sensitive principles. This use of technology permits an expansion of the scope of spiritual practice, while also promoting the eco-sustainable aspects of practice, allowing individuals to engage in a religious experience while addressing the physical, temporal, monetary, and spatial constraints. It thus makes immersive and authentic available to the user, promoting an in-depth engagement with the diverse religious heritage of both India and the world.